20 Feb 2014, Bossangoa, CAR: UN Humanitarian Chief Valerie Amos is in the Central African Republic (CAR) - her second visit in just over 6 months. "The country has been plunged into chaos and deadly violence following months of political crisis and lawlessness," she said during the first day in the capital Bangui. Credit: OCHA/Phil Moore

19 Feb 2014, Bangui, CAR: Ms. Amos met with CAR's Interim President, Catherine Samba-Panza [second from left], on the first day of her visit. "The situation requires a political solution," said Ms. Amos. "But in the meantime the humanitarian community is at the forefront of efforts to support people in desperate need." Credit: OCHA/Phil Moore

19 Feb 2014, Bangui, CAR: USG Amos also met with leaders from CAR's Muslim and Christian communities. Close to 700,000 people are displaced, including 270,000 in Bangui alone. Credit: OCHA/Phil Moore

19 Feb 2014, Bangui, CAR: In this meeting, Ms. Amos stressed the urgency of restoring dialogue and trust between the communities that have shared a common history and lived in peaceful coexistence. Credit: OCHA/Phil Moore

19 Feb 2014, Bangui, CAR: The Humanitarian Chief was joined on the visit by the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michael Sidibe, and Assistant Secretary-General of the UN Department of Safety and Security, Mbaranga Gasarabwe. The delegation met with representatives of civil society, including representatives from 21 women's groups. Credit: OCHA/Phil Moore

19 Feb 2014, Bangui, CAR: The women's groups spoke of the spiral of violence in their country, and the way that it has affected all communities, causing long-lasting wounds. "Everyone said the country needed the same things: security, reconciliation, restoration of basic services, and justice and the rule of law," USG Amos said. Credit: OCHA/Phil Moore

20 Feb 2014, Bossangoa, CAR: On the second day, the aid chiefs traveled to Bossangoa in northern CAR. "We were shocked by what we saw [in Bossangoa]," Ms. Amos said. "Homes burnt, people fearful, and it was very hard to listen to their stories." Credit: OCHA/Phil Moore

20 Feb 2014, Bossangoa, CAR: "People are so afraid that they sleep in the bush at night, are in displacement camps or have been forced to flee their country." Credit: OCHA/Phil Moore

20 Feb 2014, Bossangoa, CAR: Ms. Amos met with with an Imam from the Muslim community in Bossangoa. Many people from this community have been living in the grounds of one of the town's schools for months. Credit: OCHA/Phil Moore

20 Feb 2014, Bangui, CAR: "Today (20 Feb) the UN Secretary General will brief the Security Council to underline the urgency of the response [in CAR]," Ms. Amos said at a press conference that was held at the end of her visit in Bangui. "We all feel very strongly that time is of the essence if we don't want to fail the people of CAR." Credit: OCHA/Phil Moore